The Belgian Rugby League Association is the governing body for rugby league in Belgium.[1] It was formed in early 2009 as Belgium Rugby League and given Observer status by the RLIF.[2][3] The first Belgian club was established in Wavre and on 11 July 2009 they faced Hammersmith Hills Hoists in the first match to be played in Belgium.[2] Two weeks later, the Belgium XIII representative side defeated a Catalonia XIII in the Euro Med Challenge.[2][4] In 2010, Belgium were scheduled to compete in the European Bowl, but withdrew from the tournament and development of the sport in Belgium was suspended.[2][5][6]
In May 2013, the governing body was re-established as the Belgian Rugby League Association and joined the RLEF later that month as Observers.[1][7] On 29 June, in a match against the Netherlands, Belgium fielded their first national team conforming to international regulations.[8] In 2015, Belgian and Dutch clubs took part in a joint competition, the BNRL Championship, and the association announced plans for the first Belgian Super League to commence in November 2015.[1][9] However, in 2019 it was reported that a national club competition had yet to be developed.[3]
In March 2024, Belgium were expelled from the IRL due to inactivity.[10]
